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Board approves solid-waste facility plan and DNR loan application despite financial concerns
Summary
After extended debate about engineering cost estimates, falling tipping revenues, and the DNR application deadline, the board approved Resolution 28 to adopt the facility plan and authorize a loan application. Consultants said larger numbers in the plan were planning estimates for DNR and not committed expenditures; vote was 15–2.
The board approved Resolution 28 to adopt a solid-waste facility plan, commit to compliance, and authorize submitting a loan application to the Wisconsin DNR — but only after an extended exchange in which supervisors pressed for clearer financial information and cost explanations.
Tetratech consultant Jaylen Thomas and county staff addressed a perceived discrepancy in engineering figures: earlier engineering-proposal amounts (roughly $59,000) differed from higher plan estimates included for the DNR. Jaylen said the larger figure in the plan reflected a March planning estimate provided to the DNR and additional engineering tasks and contingencies that are part of the project high-level estimate. "That difference is due to one understanding more of the needs of the facility by the time that we prepared the engineering proposal," Jaylen said, and he emphasized that the plan figures are preliminary and that all later work will be competitively bid.
County fiscal staff and supervisors raised concerns about a drop in tipping and tonnage revenue and potential interim budget shortfalls while the project proceeds and grant or forgiveness amounts are confirmed. Staff noted the landfill has experienced lower tonnage and that some haulers have shifted practices, affecting revenue. Kyle told the board the solid-waste operation was "$40,000 under budget" overall and had experienced a substantial drop in tipping revenue compared with projections; supervisors asked for a clearer budget briefing before the board takes final funding commitments beyond authorizing the DNR application.
Consultants warned the board that the DNR application requires an approved resolution by the agency’s deadline; Jaylen said, "If there's not an approved resolution in hand by September 30th, that would constitute an incomplete application." Given the statutory timetable and the opportunity for 70% forgiveness under current rules, some supervisors said they felt constrained to proceed with the application now. After debate the board approved Resolution 28 (vote recorded as 15 yes, 2 no).
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